Stencil-addressing machine



Nov. 27, I923 1,475,565

P. F. COX

STENCIL ADDRESSING MACHINE,

Filed Dec. 15, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Em l Nov. 27 1923. 1,4755% P. F. COX

' STENCIL ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 27 1923.

P. F. COX

STENCIL ADDRESSING MACHINE 10 a +v m 4 x w u w D W 5 O w P WM NA w Ill c m I Ill-l II III m m x A A1 bra \Q la 0 a N um. b

Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES PAUL COX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STENCIL-ADDRESSING MACHINE.

Application filed December 15, 1920. Serial No. 430,963.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, PAUL-F.- Cox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stencil-Addressing Machines; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is a novel mechanism for addressing articles, such as envelopes, packages, newspapers, and the like, by applying to each of such articles the address of the.

person for whom it is intended.

This invention is an improvement on the type of addressing mechanism shown in my Patent No. 1,344,384, dated June 22, 1920.

The particular objects of the invention are to provide novel means for applying the addresses by means of stencils; to provide novel means for taking the stencil plates from the feed chute and releasing them after they have passed the printing point; to provide novel means for holding the stencil on the carrier between the feed chute and the point of discharge; to provide novel magnetic holding means and to provide novel means for inking the stencils.

I will explain the invention with refer ence to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention and will enable others skilled 'in the art to readily adapt and use the invention; but I do not consider the invention in its broader aspects restricted to the specific construction of the addressing mechanism shown; and therefore I have set forth in the claims the essentials of the invention and novel combinations of parts and novel features of construction for which protection is desired.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my novel addressing.mechanism attached to the frame of a printing press in operative relation to the folder former.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of such addressing mechanism.

.Fig. 3 is a partial front view of. Fig. 2 partly broken away.

Figure 4 is a detail view of one of the stencils.

Fig. 5 is atransverse section of the stencil on line 55 Fig. 4. V i

The operative parts of the addressing mechanism may be mounted in any suitable frame afi'ording proper support therefor. The addressing mechanism is adapted to use individual address stencils. These stencils are usually stamped out of a thin sheet of suitable material and surrounded by a thicker metal frameto stiffen the thin metal strips, the latterbearingthe name, andaddress and other indicia of the-addressee. Preferably I make the stencil out of suitable preferably non-metallic material such as shown at S, Figures 4 and 5, which sheet is secured in a metal'frame S which permits the stencil to be pressed by a suitable ink pad against the paper-this frame is preferably formed of a plate having side flanges S turned over and clamping the stencil sheet S as indicated in Figure 5. v

One end of the plate has an opening S corresponding to a notch in the stencil sheet to facilitate handling the stencil. I do not however consider the invention limited to any particular formof stencil, but prefer to use stencils formed either of'magnetizable metal or having a magnetizable metal frame.

These stencils are supplied to the addressing mechanism from a feed chute 2 of any suitable construction supported upona suitable frame preferably in such manner that the chute may be supplied with stencils withoutstoppine the operation of the machine. The feed chute is provided with suit able slots in its front andrear walls at the bottom thereof so that the stencils can be successively ejected therefrom one at atime.

The stencils may be supported in the chute 2 by means of fingers 2 at the lower end' of the chute 2 and preferably formed in or at tached to a plate 2 supported on the frame, the lowermost stencil resting on the fingers 1 2 in position to be removed from the galley by devices on a rotating stencil carrier 4.

As shown the carrier 4 is a cylindrical drum attached to a shaft 49, which may be operated as described in my aforesaid patent. Said carrier is provided with pairs of op posed stencil-grippers 5 and 6. The grippers 5 are mounted on a rock shaft 5 which is journaled in bearings in the carrier 4 (see Figs. 2 and 3), one gripper 5 at each side of the drum, which is slotted to permit the grippers to be set inside of the ends of the drum, so that they will pass by the stencil supporting fingers 2 The shaft 5 has an arm 5 on one end carrying a roller 5 which rests upon a cam 5 fastened to one part 8 of the sup porting frame in which part the outer end of the shaft 4' is journaled (see Fig. 3).

The grippers 6 are att ched to a shaft 6" journaled in the carrier 4; opposite shaft 5", and shaft 6 has an arm 6 which carries a roller 6 engaging a cam 6 fast to the part 8. These cams 5 6 are so proportioned and arranged that at the proper time in the rotation of the carrier the grippers 5 and 6 will be caused to close upon the lowermost stencils in the chute 2 and withdraw the same therefrom and carry same around to and past the printing point P. After the stencil has passed the printing point the grippers 6 are retracted out of the way in time to allow the forward edge of the stencil to drop upon a guide and beneath the up per end of a stripping guide or finger 7 parallel with the guide 7 (Fig. 1), and the discharged stencils pass between the guides 7 and 7 and are directed thereby into a receiving galley 7 into which they are stacked by any suitable means.

As shown a pusher 7 is provided mount ed on a rock shaft 7* having an arm 7 connected bya rod 7* to a crank arm 4 attached to the outer end of the shaft l (see Figs. 1 and 3) so that the pusher will be oscillated at the proper time to move each stencil dis charged from the carrier forward in the chute 7 The shafts 5 6 are rocked at the proper time to prevent the grippers 5 and 6 con tacting with the stripping fingers or guides 7 or 7 and then returned to operative po sition. The cams are so arranged that the grippers will be opened before they reach the chute 2. and will be closed upon the lowermost stencil in the chute in time to take the same from. the chute 2 and carry same to the printing point.

Slidably mounted upon the carrier are stencil holding magnets 9. which are preferably permanent U-shaped magnets and are arranged with their poles intermediate the grippers 5 and 6 (see Fig. 2), there being one magnet 9 at each side of the carrier and guided in grooves therein. These magnets may be rec-iprocated diametrically of the carrier 4: and at the proper time by any suit able means.

As shown theopposed magnets may be connected by transverse bars or rods 9 and 9 so that they move together; and the rod 9 isengaged with an arm 9 attached to a rock shaft 9 journaled in and extending through the carrier 4 (Figs. 2 and 3), said rock shaft having a crank arm 9 having a roller 9 on its outer extremity contacting with a earn 9 concentric to the shaft- P and fastened to the fixed part of the main frame 1, in which the inner end of the shaft 49 is journaled. The shaft 9 may be rocked in opposition to the cam by means of a suitable spring. I

As shown the guide slots for the magnets in the carrier are preferably provided with brass bushings 9 so as to insulate the magnets frem the metal of the frame and adjacent parts, so that the power of the magnets may be most effective at the poles thereof, and engage and retain the stencil or stencil holders on the carrier.

These magnets are adaptedito engage and hold the stencil on the carrier by magnetic attraction, being projected so that their poles will engage with the iron frame of the stencil when and as the stencil is being ejected from the chute 2 by the grippers 5, and these magnets will hold the stencil close to the periphery of the carrier during the printing operation, but are retracted at proper times so that the stencil will be dis within the carrier opposite this opening is arranged a reciprocatory inking pad 10. which pad may be connected with the magnets 9 so as to be raised and lowered therewith.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3' the ink pad 10 is carried by a member l0 which is slidably guided in suitable opening in the carrier eland preferably has centrally disposed lugs 10* which rest upon the arms 9" so that the ink pad is reciprocated simultaneously with the magnets 9. Preferably the ink pad may be normally retracted by means of a spring 1O attached to the member 10 and the hub of the carrier as shown in Figures 2 and 3. This spring will normally hold the ink pad and the magnets in retracted position when the cam 9 permits.

In the construction shown the ink pad will .be inked before the stencil and magnet reach the chute 2. The ink pad may be supjiill plied with ink by any suitable means.

receives ink froma roller 11, which is supplied with ink by distributing rollers 11 11 to which the ink is supplied by a ductor as an additional precaution a, curved retainer plate or bar 5 may be arranged between the stencil taking point and the print ing and discharge point as indicated in Fig. 1 to effectively prevent the stencils becoming displaced by centrifugal force.

After the impression is made the stencils are carried by the member 4: to the point of discharge and released by any suitable means,as described.

A receiving galley (not shown) can be detachably attached to the outer end of the receiving chute 7 in the usual mannerto receive the stencil discharged from the galley 7 The apparatus shown is especially adapted for use in connection with printing presses, and preferably the supporting frame 1 is so constructed that it can be readily attached to the folded former F of a printing press, as in my aforesaid patent. As shown in Fig. 1 R is the usual roller mounted on the shaft S at the top of the former F and rotated to assist the web of paper W to and over the former. The shaft S is driven by gearing (not shown), and above said shaft is a tie rod T, which usually carries spring pressed rollers which hold the web W in contact with the roller R at the top of the former. Below the shaft S is a bar B which supports the upper end of the former F. The addressing attachment frame 1 is shown as connected with and supported by the rods T and bar B as described in my aforesaid patent.

hen. applied to a printingmecha'nism the parts should be so driven and the gearing so proportioned that the stencils on the carrier will be moving at the printing point at the same speed as the paper or article to be impressed, passing such point.

'In the example shown, the shaft t carries a gear 4 which meshes with a gear 4 attached to and driven by the shaft S and the gears 4F and 4 are so proportioned that thestencil carrier-will be'rotated once'for each newspaper, or impression on the paper when applied to a printing press, and'the As. conventionally shown in Fig. 1 the ink pad parts are preferably adjusted so. that the I each newspaper asit passes over-the former.

While I have described the invention as embodied inan attachment for web printing presses. and applied to such presses it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention: could" be readily embodied in a separate machine foraddressing envelopes, packages and-the like. In suchcases the supporting frame would be properly modified, and means provided for rotating the shaft 4* manually or'by power, as will be readily understood and provided by those familiar with the art.

It should also be understood that While the invention isdescribed as especially adapted for use in addressing mechanisms, the magnetic means for holding the objects such as stencil plates on the carrier, could be readily adapted to other-carriers and for holding other kind of address or printing plates or other objects on a carrier. Therefore I donot consider the magnetic holding means limited to use in. connection with addressing mechanism or magnetizabletencils or printing plates.

What I claim is:

1. In stencil addressing mechanism the combination with a magnetizable stencil member; a movable carrier and permanent magnets thereon adapted" to'retain the magnetizable stencil member thereon, and cam meansfor causing themagnets to take the stencilsat the receiving point, and to release the stencils after the printing operation.

2. In stencil addressing mechanism, the combination with magnetizable stencil members; a rotatable carrier; magnets thereon adapted: to retain the mag-netizable stencils thereon; means for operating the carrier; and mea-nsfor causing the magnets to take the stencils at the receiving point and to release the stencils after-the printing opera-- t1on.

3. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 2; means within-the carrier for applying ink through the stencil at the printing point, substantially as described.

4. In combination a movable rotatable stencil carrier; permanent magnets for holding. the stencil' on the carrier; means for feeding-magnetizable stencils to the carrier; and cam means for causing the magnets to engage the stencil at the taking point and to discharge the stencil after the printing operation.

5. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 4; means within the carrier for applying ink to the stencil at the printing point, substantially as described.

In combination a movable rotatable stencil carrier; magnetic stencil holding means on the carrier; meansfor supplying .inagnetiz able st ncil ;;means for causing th F magnets to engage a stencil; and means for causing the magnets to discharge the stencil after the printing operation; and means within the carrier for supplying ink through the stencils at the printing point.

. 7 In an addressing apparatus, means for supplying individual stencils; a carrier provided with grippers adapted to take the stencils successively from the supply and carry them past the point of impression; permanent magnet means on said carrier for bold ing the stencils; and means for causing the grippers to release the stencil after the printing operation; and means for receiving the discharged stencils.

8. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 7 means within the carrier for applying ink through the stencils at the printing point substantially as described.

9. In combination, a rotatable member adapted to carry a printing stencil; a feed chute for supplying stencils to said member; means on said member for taking a stencil from the feed chute; permanent magnet means on said member for holding the stencil until the impression has been made; cam means for causing said permanent magnet means to release the stencil after the impression; and means for discharging the stencil after printing.

10. In combination wit-h mechanism as set forth in claim 9; means within the carrler for applying ink through the stencils at the printing point, substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus of the character specified, a feed chute forprinting stencils having bottom supports for the stencils; a rotatable carrier below the chute having means adapted to remove a stencil from the chute; permanent magnet means on said carrier for holding the stencil during the printing op eration; cam means for causing the holding means to release the stencil after printing; and means for discharging the stencils after printing.

12. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 11; means within the carrier for applying ink through the stencil at the printing point, substantially as described.

13. In an addressing apparatus, means for supplying individual stencils; a carrier adapted to take the stencils successively from the supply and carry them past the point of impression; means on said carrier for holding the stencils; means for applying ink through the stencils at the printing point; and means for discharging the stencil from the carrier after the printing.-

14;. In an addressing apparatus, means for supporting individual stencils; a carrier adapted to take the stencils successively from the supply and carry them past the point ofimpression, grippers on said carrier for holding the stencils; means for discharging the stencil-from the carrier after the printing operation; means for receiving the discharged stencils; and means Within the carrier for app-lying ink through the stencil at the printing point substantially as described.

15. In combination a rotatable member adapted to carry a printing stencil; a feed chute for supplying stencils to said member; grippers on said member for taking astencil from the feed chute and for holding the stencil until the impression has been made; and means for causing said grippers to release the stencil after the impression.

16. In combination With mechanism as set forth in claim 15; means within the carrier for applying ink through the stencil at the printing point.

17. In an apparatus of the character specified, a feed chute for printing stencils having bottom supports for the stencils; a rotatable carrier below thechute having devices on its periphery adapted to remove a stencil from the chute; grippers on said carrier for holding the stencil during the printing operation; means for causing the grippers to release the stencil after printing; a receiving galley for released stencils; and means for packing the stencils in the galley.

18. In apparatus as set forth in claim 17; a rotatable carrier and a radially movable inking member Within the carrier adapted to supply ink through the stencils at the printing point.

19. In an addressing apparatus, means for supplying individual stencils; a carrier adapted to take the stencils successively from the supply and carry them past the point of impression; opposed sets of grippers on said carrier for holding the ste'ncils;'means for applying ink through the stencils. at the printing point; means for discharging the stencils after the printing operation; and

means for receiving the discharged stencils.

20. In mechanism as set forth in claim 19;

a reciprocatory inking member within the carrier and operating between the grippers and adapted to supply ink to the paper through the stencil at the printing point; and means for operating said inking member.

21. In an addressing apparatus; a carrier for stencils; an inking member in the carrier; and means for causing said member to apply ink through the stencil at the printing point.

22. In an addressing apparatus; means for supplying individual stencils; a carrier adapted to take stencils from the supply and past the point of impression; an inking member in the carrier; means for causing said member to apply ink through the stencil at the printing point; and means for discharging the stencil after the printing operation.

23. In apparatus as set forth in claim 22;

supplying a rotatable carrier and a radially movable inking member Within the carrier substantially as described.

24. In addressing apparatus; means for stencils; a rotatable carrier adapted to take the stencils successively from the supply and carry them past the printing point; oppositely. disposed pairs of grippers mounted on said carrier; and means 10 for causing the said grippers to engage the stencils at the taking point and release same after it has passed the printing point.

25. In mechanism as set forth in claim 24; an inking member in the carrier adapted to supply ink to the paper through the stencil at the printing point; and means for operating said inking member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afiix my si nature.

lAUL F. 00X. 

